Chrysanthemum plant named Ginger

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Ginger particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow to yellow-orange ray floret color with bronze-red center; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 5.5 cm at maturity; short plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif. and September 24 in Hightstown, N.J.; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and by its durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., and referred to by the cultivar name Ginger.

Ginger, identified as 82M18017, was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in a controlled breeding program in New Canaan, Conn., in 1981. The parents of Ginger were both unnamed seedlings.

Ginger was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in September 1982, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Ginger was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in December 1982 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Ginger are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Ginger has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in controlled open areas in Salinas, Calif. and in Hightstown, N.J. Rooted cuttings were established in soil and maintained outdoors under the natural temperature and daylength prevailing during July through September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Ginger, which, in combination, distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. Yellow to yellow-orange ray floret color with bronze-red center.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 5.5 cm at maturity.

5. Short plant height.

6. Spreading and prolific branching pattern.

7. Average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif., and September 24 in Hightstown, N.J.

8. Uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

9. Durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Ginger, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Ginger grown as a pinched spray pot mum.

Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Ginger.

Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of the leaves of Ginger at three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to Ginger is Revere, discosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,005. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Ginger to the same characteristics of Revere.

Similar traits are capitulum form and type, controlled flowering response period, and a contrasting bronze-red center of capitulum. Ginger has a more spreading and prolific branching pattern, more extensively yellow to yellow-orange ray florets, smaller diameter across face of capitulum, shorter plant height, and a slightly earlier natural season flowering response in comparison with Revere.

In the following description, color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The exact color for the corolla of ray florets of the center of the capitulum of Ginger is not represented in the R.H.S. Colour Chart, and the color values given are those closest to the actual color. The color values were determined on plant material grown outside in Salinas, Calif. on Aug. 25, 1986.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Ginger.

Commercial.--Decorative spray pot mum and garden mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 5.5 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Yellow to yellow-orange with bronze-red center.

Color (upper surface).--12A to 14A, with center of capitulum closest to 169A to 169C.

Color (under surface).--12B to 14C.

Shape.--Oblong.

C. Corolla of disc florets: Not present.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Not present.

Gynoecium.--Present on ray florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Short.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--137A to 137B.

Color (under surface).--137B to 137C.

Shape.--Lobed and slightly serrated.

                  CHART A                                                          ______________________________________                                         COMPARISON OF GINGER AND REVERE                                                ______________________________________                                                            CAPITULUM                                                            RAY       FORM                                                                 FLORET    AND          BRANCHING                                      CULTIVAR COLOR     TYPE         PATTERN                                        ______________________________________                                         GINGER   YELLOW    FLAT         SPREADING                                               TO YELLOW-                                                                     ORANGE                                                                         WITH BRONZE-                                                                   RED                                                                            CENTER                                                                REVERE   RED       FLAT         SEMI                                                    BRONZE    DECORATIVE   UPRIGHT                                                 TO                                                                             YELLOW-                                                                        BRONZE                                                                ______________________________________                                                                        AVERAGE                                                                        NATURAL                                                  DIAMETER              SEASON                                                   ACROSS                FLOWER                                                   FACE OF     PLANT     DATE SALINAS,                                   CULTIVAR CAPITULUM   HEIGHT    CALIFORNIA                                      ______________________________________                                         GINGER   UP TO 5.5 cm.                                                                              SHORT     AUGUST 26                                       REVERE   UP TO 7 cm. MEDIUM    AUGUST 28                                       ______________________________________                                                   AVERAGE NATURAL                                                                SEASON FLOWER                                                                  DATE HIGHTSTOWN  CONTROLLED                                          CULTIVAR  NEW JERSEY       RESPONSE                                            ______________________________________                                         GINGER    SEPTEMBER 24     7 WEEKS                                             REVERE    SEPTEMBER 27     7 WEEKS                                             ______________________________________                                         COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                         NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR                                                         CONDITIONS IN                                                                  SALINAS, CALIFORNIA AND IN HIGHTSTOWN, NEW                                     JERSEY                                                                         ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Ginger, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow to yellow-orange ray floret color with bronze-red center; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 5.5 cm at maturity; short plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 26 in Salinas, Calif. and September 24 in Hightstown, N.J.; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs. 